Patent · US Active

Low resistance, low reflection, and low cost contact grids for photovoltaic cells

US9337363B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
11References
25Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 11, 2011
Grant dateMay 10, 2016
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 4, 2034

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T29/49826
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

The instant disclosure relates to contact grids for use in photovoltaic cells, wherein a cross-section of the contact grid fingers is shaped as a trapezoid, as well as a method of making photovoltaic cells comprising these contact grids. The contact grids of the instant disclosure are cost effective and, due to their thick metal grids, exhibit minimum resistance. Despite having thick metal grids, the unique shape of the contact grid fingers of the instant disclosure allow the photovoltaic cells in which they are employed to retain more solar energy than traditional solar cells by reflecting incoming solar energy back onto the surface of the solar cell instead of reflecting this energy away from the cell.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.